The FCO and ABI launches Travel Insurance Awareness campaign

Buying travel insurance can be tricky, especially if you have an existing medical condition.

It's hard to know what to declare, and what can remain personal - and The Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) and the Association of British Insurers have decided to launch a campaign to provide clarity for travellers.

The campaign focuses on alerting travellers to declare their medical conditions to their travel insurance provider, and provides tips for when searching for a new insurance policy.

Some of the tips include:

Making sure that you're honest about your medical history with your insurer; it may be tempting to leave out some details, especially if it increases the price of your policy, but not telling the whole truth may leave you out of pocket if you have to claim

Read through your policy documents carefully - you need to understand what the policy will and won't cover

If you already have a medical condition, the FCO and ABI suggest using a specialist insurer. However, if the cost of your policy is becoming unaffordable, you should possibly look at travelling to an alternative location - and don't forget to check the standard of the medical care at your destination.

However, this card will not pay for any travel costs and the level of healthcare you receive can vary between countries.

Aidan Kerr, Head of Travel Insurance at the ABI, said: "If you have an existing medical condition, it is particularly important to make sure that you shop around for the right policy before booking the trip to ensure you are fully covered."

Sher Houston from the 'Know Before You Go' team at the FCO said: "Taking out travel insurance, making sure it is the right insurance for you and taking the time to read your policy are the most important steps to take."

For more information on purchasing the right policy for you, click here.